Here is my best guess on the eve of free agency:
Knicks get Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh (sign/trade): My thought being the Knicks will make JJ feel like a priority going to him first, making him feel like a star, like the guy they want the most. There will also be a comfort level with Coach D. As for Bosh, they’ll also make him feel like he’s the man, telling him “You don’t need to be Lebron or DWade’s sidekick. As the main attraction on the Knicks your marketability and star appeal in the league will rival that of Wade and Lebron.”
Raptors get David Lee. Lee gets to control his own destiny a little bit in a sign and trade. But, I worry that OKC swoops in to make Lee an offer to derail a sign and trade. Additionally, does Lee want to be in Toronto? Maybe some sort of super complex 3 team sign and trade happens.
Miami gets Wade and Amare. Why would Wade leave Miami? I mean really? And Amare would add a great inside outside touch. He’ll think, “if Wade won it with Shaq downlow he can win it with me down low, too.” Besides the Miami lifestyle will hold a ton of appeal over Amare.
Cleveland gets Lebron. Lebron overplays his hand with all teams, stalls too much and the pieces start to fall before he can control them. Additionally, he realizes that he and his peeps run the org. Realizes he’s less of a bad guy if he stays in Cleveland. Realizes he can’t live in the Jordan shadow and isn’t a good fit with the Chicago roster. Realizes being in Newark for 2 years isn’t ideal. Realizes he doesn’t want to share the credit and legacy with Wade.
Chicago gets Boozer. They add the low post scoring they actually really need and fits.
New Jersey gets no one (for now). No one is willing to wait around 2 to 3 years of a 5 year contract to play in Brooklyn. They’ll have too much trouble getting the first chip to fall in place. BUT, they’ll probably make it happen at some point either by trade, signing, or in a sign and trade for someone cool since they won’t be encumbered by the salary cap.
As for Lebron, I think the Knicks do have the best shot at landing him if it’s not Cleveland. I just think the Knicks are going to move hard and fast on Joe Johnson and make him an offer immediately to get something no matter what.
